Top 8 Best Detective Romance Novels Adapted into Movies

The full title of the film is Criminal Psychology - The Portrait, also known as Bloody Exam. It is adapted from the second book in the series by author Luo Mei. The movie, which began filming in 2016, stars the handsome actor Li Yifeng as Fang Mo and the award-winning actor Liao Fan as Detective Tai Wei. The 2015 TV series adaptation of Bloody Exam consists of two parts and follows Fang Mo, a genius in criminal psychology. The title 'Bloody Exam' refers to an exam not written with ink, but with blood. It isn't formed from letters but from human networks. What's terrifying is that when Fang Mo realizes it's an exam, his answer sheet is marked with five bloody X's. What will he do? What is the purpose of the killer? How are these connected cases related? When the pieces are put together, everything will be revealed.

Whenever the name 'Bloody Exam' comes up, you're bound to feel a chill, because the psychological thriller elements in the detective story are intense. The main character, Fang Mo, hunts down the twisted killer behind a series of crimes. The gripping cases, the logical plot progression, and the connection of the mystery make Luo Mei's work the top choice for detective novel adaptations. As predicted, the success of the novel led to the movie adaptation's huge popularity. Though the investigation genre may lack grotesque details, the tightly woven investigative reasoning and the author's expertise in the field make this film stand out with irresistible allure.

Ten Crimes is a film adaptation of the detective novel of the same name by author Chi Shu. Among the many detective works, Ten Crimes has secured a special place in the hearts of its audience. Featuring a star cast including Zhang Zhiyi, Zhang Han, Zhang Yamei, and Wu Xiaodong, the film is made up of five episodes, telling the stories of ten shocking 'real' criminal cases in China. Murders, kidnappings, organ trafficking, rapes, grotesque disfigurements, and dismemberments—Chi Shu’s ten cases expose brutality beyond moral boundaries, with criminals so savage they cannibalize and skin their victims. These grisly, complex crimes are investigated by a special task force of four members: Professor Liang with 40 years of experience, high-tech officer Su Mi, martial artist Huo Long, and Bao Zhan, a descendant of the famous Bao Zheng, as they gradually unravel the mysteries.

Ten Crimes is regarded as one of the most thrilling Chinese detective films. The movie is based on Chi Shu's famous detective novels, revolving around ten horrifying, mysterious crimes that were rooted in real events that shocked China. As a result, it has broken viewership records, with the film depicting all ten cases that nearly every Chinese citizen would recognize. Watching Ten Crimes, viewers are bound to shiver at the thought of the real-life murders that still exist in society, cases that seem like they belong in horror movies. The various methods of murder, torture, and crime are vividly depicted, providing a stark portrayal of a dangerous society, filled with people who may not be entirely human, lurking all around us.

Forensic Doctor Qin Ming is a film adaptation of the novel "The Seventh Finger" by author Xi Lie. The film follows a thrilling investigation from the perspective of a forensic doctor, offering tense, chilling, and dramatic scenes that keep viewers on edge. Upon release, many viewers were skeptical about the film's quality, as forensic examinations are not a common theme in Chinese films. However, with a tight script based on a popular novel, and a significant investment in production, the film captivated audiences, delivering a chilling experience. The story centers around Qin Ming (played by Zhang Ruojun), a talented forensic expert, who, along with his assistant Li Baodai (Xiao Junyan) and police captain Lin Dao (Li Xian), forms a special task force to crack complex criminal cases. The only clue in the cases are the victims. Using his exceptional forensic skills, Qin Ming uncovers vital evidence and clues, helping the team quickly solve the cases and capture the real culprits. With its intense chase sequences, sharp twists, and haunting crime scene investigations, Forensic Doctor Qin Ming became a hit among fans of crime thrillers.

The Grave Robber's Journal is a work that brought fame to author Nan Pai San Shu, and it has become an iconic piece in the grave-robbing genre. Written over five years and published as nine separate volumes, it became one of China's most famous novels since its release in 2007, with millions of fans and over 20 million copies sold. The author later wrote two sequels, Sea of Tangs and Desert Sea, though neither was completed before the author announced his retirement on March 22, 2013.

The novel The Grave Robber's Journal has multiple volumes and several sequels. Consequently, each year filmmakers produce new adaptations related to the story. In 2015, the film The Grave Robber's Journal was produced by Huan Shui, starring Li Yifeng and Yang Yang. In 2018, another adaptation The Grave Robber's Journal: Desert Sea featured actors Wu Lei, Qin Hao, and Yang Dong. Regardless of the version, filmmakers always aim to capture the mystery of ancient tombs, strange creatures within, and dangerous, suspenseful situations. The Grave Robber's Journal follows the character Wu Ta, a former antiques shop owner whose grandfather was a tomb raider before retiring. Wu Ta, along with his uncle, Wu San Ting, Zhang Qi Ling, Ban Zi, and Fan Zi, embarks on grave-robbing expeditions. During these adventures, Wu Ta learns more about the mysteries of his family, matures, and faces perilous situations. These grave-robbing expeditions lead Wu Ta closer to uncovering the secrets of his lineage.

Imperial Guard's Fall is an adaptation of the novel by author Lan Se Shi Fen. Set against the backdrop of real historical events during the Ming Dynasty, the series follows the story of a female detective, Yuan Jin Xia (played by Tan Tong Wen), from the Six Doors, who becomes embroiled in a feud with the Imperial Guard’s Liu Shi (played by Ren Jia Lun) due to a case she is working on. When a large sum of silver, meant for road repairs, goes missing, Yuan Jin Xia is assigned to assist Liu Shi in tracking down the stolen funds in Yangzhou. Although they initially have opposing views, the investigation forces them to work together. What begins as a tense and hostile partnership eventually blossoms into mutual respect and romantic feelings. However, the twists of fate take a personal turn when Yuan Jin Xia is revealed to be an orphan from the infamous Xian Nian case, carrying a family vendetta that keeps her distant from Liu Shi. Despite these challenges, the two ultimately overcome their pasts, setting aside personal grudges to confront their enemies, defy societal constraints, and courageously embrace their love for one another.

The success of a series often hinges on the strength of its performances, and Imperial Guard's Fall certainly shines in this area. Much of the series' current success can be attributed to the exceptional performances of the lead cast. In addition, the supporting cast delivers impressive portrayals of their respective characters, further enhancing the depth of the story. Though lacking a star-studded lineup, Imperial Guard's Fall satisfies the audience’s expectations in terms of acting, proving to be a well-rounded and engaging drama.

When it comes to romantic crime thrillers, one cannot forget the iconic work Close Your Eyes When He Comes by Din Mak. The story follows the relationship between a genius criminal psychology associate professor, Bai Jin Yun, and his assistant, Jian Dao, whom he affectionately refers to as "the flower of criminal psychology." Bai Jin Yun wins the hearts of romance fans with his incredibly high IQ and alarmingly low EQ, making him a character that leaves both Jian Dao and the audience alternately amused and exasperated, earning him the nickname 'The Autistic Bai.'

As Din Mak's first novel to be adapted into a drama, Close Your Eyes When He Comes was officially released to audiences in late 2015. The series tells the story of the complicated relationship between Bai Jin Yun (played by Hu Ge), a 26-year-old criminal psychology expert and associate professor at the University of Maryland, and his newly graduated assistant Jian Dao (played by Ma Si Chun). The show also delves into chilling criminal cases and encounters with deranged murderers. Hu Ge’s portrayal of Bai Jin Yun, although handsome in his well-tailored white shirts and black suits, didn’t quite match the 'genius' persona that was expected. On the other hand, Ma Si Chun’s performance as Jian Dao, gentle and strong-willed, comes across as a bit overly delicate and shy. Throughout the series, Ma Si Chun often relies on wide-eyed expressions and soft-spoken dialogue, which contrasts with the strong character in the original work. Despite the criticism surrounding their chemistry, Close Your Eyes When He Comes still holds a special place for original fans, though the series didn’t perform as well commercially. While the leads, Hu Ge and Ma Si Chun, received criticism for being stiff, supporting roles like Li Xuan Nian (played by Wang Kai) and Zha Han (played by Zhang Lu Yi) garnered much more fan appreciation.

Search for Memories/Beauty in the Trap is adapted from the detective novel of the same name by author Din Mak. Search for Memories is the third detective thriller from Din Mak, following If Snails Had Love and Close Your Eyes When He Comes. The story revolves around the protagonist Han Zhen, who, despite losing his memory, relentlessly searches for his fiancée. A girl whose existence has been dismissed by everyone as a mere fantasy for five years. Han Zhen then travels to Jiang City, where he meets Bai Chenxi (played by Su Mian), a spirited young woman who is passionate about criminal psychology. Like Han Zhen, Su Mian has a mysterious past with a void spanning five years. From the moment they meet, he pulls her into an entirely new world. Together, they get entangled in complicated cases, facing off against S, a shadowy organization of seven individuals, as well as the intricacies of each crime. Their journey to battle evil and expose the criminals in the dark seven-member group is also a journey to recover the memories lost five years ago...

Another detective thriller adapted from Din Mak's work is If Snails Had Love. The film tells the love story between Huo Hu (played by Wang Zi Wen), a police officer specializing in criminal psychology, and Qu Bai (played by Wang Kai), the team leader. Their slow-burning romance is intertwined with thrilling, suspense-filled cases. The mysterious death of Diep Zi Zhi turns out to be linked to a cross-border human trafficking ring. Wang Kai, who seems to have a knack for roles in Din Mak's adaptations, shines as Qu Bai, with his strong, commanding presence perfectly capturing the essence of the character. While Wang Zi Wen’s appearance may not exactly match the youthful, delicate portrayal in the original text, her acting ability and portrayal of the character satisfy fans.

If Snails Had Love deviates significantly from the original work, with changes to certain characters and plot elements, especially the role of Diao Meng. In the novel, Diao Meng is a beautiful, gentle woman who becomes involved with two psychotic characters. However, in the film, she is reimagined as a tough, playful police officer with a distinctly feminine side. Even though some fans of the book were initially shocked by these changes, the new direction helped create a more cohesive narrative. If Snails Had Love owes its success to its talented production team, including director Zhang Kai Zhu, producer Hou Hong Liang, and an outstanding supporting cast. For those who haven’t read the novel, If Snails Had Love remains a gripping crime drama and an excellent watch.